Theo Epstein to Cubs: 4 Reasons It's a Great Move by Chicago

Theo Epstein is one of the great young minds in all of sports. He was the youngest to become a general manager and it was for a big market team in the Boston Red Sox. He has the credentials to turn a franchise around and wants to take on the challenge with the Chicago Cubs. 

To be the savior for the Cubs and bring them to the promise land is what a lot of people have tried. Former managers Lou Piniella and Dusty Baker each tried to bring their knowledge and credentials to Chicago and help change this franchise. Both were unsuccessful because they were limited as managers.  

Cubs owner Tom Ricketts will give Epstein full control to bring a World Series to a city that desperately needs one and Epstein seems ready for the challenge.

Bringing in Epstein was a great move by the Cubs and here are the reasons why.

Stocking Up and Developing Young Talent

Theo Epstein is one of the best in stocking up young talent and building a great farm system. He has a natural knack for scouting, and this has been one thing the Cubs been lacking for years.

The last time the Cubs were any good, they had young talent at the helm with Kerry Wood and Mark Prior. Epstein must realize the talent he has and put them in the right situations to develop and become better.  

Starlin Castro and Darwin Barney are going to be the key players in the youth movement with the Cubs. They have so much talent and potential, and they will man the middle of the infield for years. 

The Cubs do have some talent in the minor league system, and Epstein has been known to really watch the players in those leagues. This offseason, he will look to see who he will keep and trade to make this franchise better.

Rid the Cubs of Bad Contracts

The Cubs tried desperately during the season to rid themselves of the volatile and overpaid Carlos Zambrano and the underachieving Alfonso Soriano.

There were no takers as Zambrano continued to feud with teammates, the coaching staff and Gatorade jugs. I don’t blame any team for not trading for him.

Zambrano is set to earn another $19 million in 2012 and that is definitely hard for any team to take on when he doesn’t have No. 1 stuff and can’t seem to stay on the field.  

Soriano is another player who has underperformed for the amount of money he is making. Soriano peaked early in his career and has never played the way he had with his previous teams. At 35 years old, it is time for Soriano and the Cubs to divorce. The Cubs need a new left fielder and big bat in the middle. 

Why is Ryan Dempster getting paid $13 million a season? I know he was solid a few years back, but he never warranted such a big contract. He is a solid fourth man on a good rotation. It would be key to trade Dempster for some prospects to a contender who already has a solid rotation. 

Epstein will try to trade each of these players this offseason and look to get some sort of compensation. He needs to find a way to get these players off the books to free up money to pay for some star power.

Some $70 million tied up to only six players is not a good thing and removing some of those contracts would prove Epstein’s worth quickly.

Sign the Big-Name Free Agents

Epstein is a guy who isn’t afraid to pull the trigger on signing the best talent available in the free-agent market. If Cubs ownership gives Epstein free reign to sign who he wants, then we might see Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder in a Cubs uniform.   

The Cubs need some star power in their lineup and either Pujols or Fielder would instantly make this Cubs lineup potent.

Fielder would make more sense since he is younger and possibly looking to get out of the shadow of Ryan Braun. Anyhow, the signing this offseason would signify that Epstein is ready to win now. 

The Cubs also have been lacking an ace on the pitching staff for years. C.C. Sabathia will be on the market. Having an ace on a pitching staff was key to any of the Red Sox teams. If he can’t land Sabathia, then I am sure he will sign the next best thing. 

Signing one of these free agents will be Epstein's top priority, and it should be for a struggling franchise.

End the Curse and Bring the Cubs a World Series

The Cubs last won the World Series back in 1908, and that is a very long time for one of the biggest franchises in sports. The Cubs haven’t been to the World Series in 66 years, with their last appearance being in 1945.

Everyone is begging for this franchise to finally win one. 

Epstein will instantly break the curse for the Cubs just as he had with the Boston Red Sox. He will get rid of the bad contracts, sign the best players, develop talent and most importantly get rid of the “Billy Goat.” 

He has a championship pedigree and a passion to win. Epstein is the most significant signing in all of sports and the Cubs made the right move.

The Brewers and Cardinals will take major hits this offseason because of their free agents and this would be an opportune time for the Cubs to a make run. The Cubs should be in contention for the playoffs in Epstein’s first year if he makes the right moves. 

A signing of Theo Epstein is probably the last hope for the Cubs to ever win the World Series again. It would give the Cubs fans hope, and that ownership will do whatever it take takes to win now.